I am sure you remember what happened last month. Where you went, who you met with, what exams you took but did you know 2015 is a year of anniversaries of several historical events. Most probably, people know about very few of them. 800 years since the signing of the Magna Carta, 600 years since the Battle of Agincourt and the bicentenary (200 years) of the Battle of Waterloo and many such events. So, we have picked some historical events for us to remember that happened in the past in the month of February.
1st Class of MIT
150 years ago
The leading university of the world in Science and Engineering is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 150 years ago, on 20th February, 1865, the 1st class of MIT was held. The surprising fact is, the list of students who were the first graduates of MIT was revealed in 1925, after 50 years.
Naval Blockade around Britain
100 years ago
During the World War I, on 4th February, 1915, Germany imposed a naval blockade around Britain. The reason why this event is significant is, after the blockade, the British water became a war zone and forced the USA to enter into the war, which made the war more devastating and caused the deaths of thousands of people.
Monopoly Was Sold For the First Time
80 years ago
Monopoly is known as the most popular board game around the world. 80 years ago, on 6th February, 1935, it first went on sale in the market. And eventually, it became popular throughout the world.
Reforming Of the Nazi Air Force
80 years ago
The Luftwaffe (Military Air Force) of Germany was banned in 1920 under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles after World War I. But, on 26th February, 1935, it was reformed and the Nazi army became invincible.
Discovering of Carbon-14
75 years ago
Every organic material is made with carbon. Its presence in organisms forms the basis of radiocarbon dating. And with the carbon dating, scientists can find out the age of fossils and archaeological materials. This significant carbon-14 was discovered by Martin Kamen and Sam Ruben at the University of California Radiation laboratory, Berkeley on 27th February, 1940.
Yalta Conference of Crimea
70 years ago
During the World War II, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin met to plan the final defeat of Nazi army. The conference was held in Crimea in 4-11th February, 1945. Stalin also agreed to enter the war in the Pacific within three months of the ending of the war in Europe. And finally, the Nazi army was defeated by the ally forces with the help of the plans made at the Yalta Conference.
Assassination of Malcolm X
50 years ago
Malcolm X (also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz) was a controversial African American Muslim leader and human rights activist. He was assassinated on 21st February, 1965. He was shot dead in a rally by the members of the group Nation of Islam.
The Watergate Scandal
40 years ago
The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal of the USA that changed the country’s political history forever. Some major political leaders of Nixon’s administration were planning to bug the opposing party’s office and of many other political leaders’ offices as well whom they were suspicious of. Their tricks were known as “dirty tricks of politics” and the former Attorney General of USA, John N. Mitchell, and former White house aides H.R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman were sentenced to 2.5 to 8 years in prison for conspiracy and obstruction of justice on 21st February, 1975.
Margaret Thatcher as 1st Female Leader
40 years ago
Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of UK from 1979 to 1990. She was known as the Iron Lady for her political powers and attitudes. She became the first female leader of the conservative Party of UK on 11th February, 1975 which led her to become the Prime Minister.
Release of Nelson Mandela
25 years ago
Nelson Mandela was a South African revolutionist, philanthropist and politician. He was arrested in 1962, convicted of conspiracy against the government and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released from prison on 11th February, 1990 after 27 years. He became the President of South Africa in 1994.